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Mission-oriented or mission adrift? A critical examination of mission-oriented innovation policies

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  • Ross Brown

Abstract

This debate article provides a critical examination of the rationale for, and validity of, mission-oriented innovation policies. It does so by providing a critique of the ‘mission-oriented’ approach espoused for the new Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB). The central contention put forward in this paper is that its mission-oriented approach constitutes ‘fuzzy’ policy making which is highly opaque, lacking sufficient detail and fails to align itself properly with the demand conditions within the Scottish innovation system. Arguably, this policy approach could result in significant policy path dependencies which could further reinforce (rather than reverse) the inherent weaknesses within the Scottish innovation system. The paper outlines an alternative ‘diffusion-oriented’ approach which seems better equipped at overcoming the entrenched ‘low productivity, low innovation equilibrium’ evident in Scotland. Regional innovation policy must be properly customized to ensure new agencies are effectively tailored and aligned to the demand conditions within their local innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. In short, policy should be context-led rather than mission-led.

Suggested Citation

  • Ross Brown, 2021. "Mission-oriented or mission adrift? A critical examination of mission-oriented innovation policies," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(4), pages 739-761, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurpls:v:29:y:2021:i:4:p:739-761
    DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2020.1779189
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    Cited by:

    1. Xie, Xuemei & Liu, Xiaojie & Blanco, Cristina, 2023. "Evaluating and forecasting the niche fitness of regional innovation ecosystems: A comparative evaluation of different optimized grey models," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    2. Harald Rohracher & Lars Coenen & Olga Kordas, 2023. "Mission incomplete: Layered practices of monitoring and evaluation in Swedish transformative innovation policy," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 50(2), pages 336-349.
    3. Batbaatar, Maral & Sandström, Christian & P Larsson, Johan & Wennberg, Karl, 2023. "The State of the Entrepreneurial State: Empirical Evidence of Mission-Led Innovation Projects around the Globe," Ratio Working Papers 368, The Ratio Institute.
    4. Matthijs J Janssen & Joeri Wesseling & Jonas Torrens & K Matthias & Caetano Penna & Laurens Klerkx, 2023. "Missions as boundary objects for transformative change: understanding coordination across policy, research, and stakeholder communities," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 50(3), pages 398-415.
    5. Loewen, Bradley, 2022. "Revitalizing varieties of capitalism for sustainability transitions research: Review, critique and way forward," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).

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